Mr. Swift nodded. “Tom’s right. Unless, of
DISASTER STRIKES 109
course, they had some urgent reason for wanting to find out as soon as possible.”
“Which makes me think it may have been an outsider after all,” Tom argued.
“Remember, the Brungarians may have intercepted the code messages to or from our space friends.” After a moment’s silence, he added gloomily, “Whoever the caller was, he knew the energy was arriving. And now he knows it’s here!”
Bud interjected, “Well, if he was a Brungarian agent and he’s hoping to steal the brain energy, one thing’s sure. No earthquake will demolish this place as long as the energy is here at Enterprises.”
“A comforting thought, Bud,” Mr. Swift commented with a wry smile.
Again Tom frowned. “At any rate, Harlan, sec if you can get a line on that impostor.”
Ames departed to begin a thorough check of all personnel at the plant who might have been implicated. Bud went on an errand, as Tom began showing his father the accomplishments of the space robot.
“We’ve christened him Exman,” Tom said.
By means of the electronic brain, he made the visitor do a number of maneuvers in response to orders.
“Wonderful!” Mr. Swift exclaimed, greatly impressed. “Let’s see if he can use his caterpillar treads as well as he does the wheels.”
110 THE VISITOR FROM PLANET X
Tom brought a small flight of portable aluminum stairs which he used for reaching up on high shelves or tinkering with outsized machines. Tom was uncertain at first how to code the command, having no symbol for steps or stairs.